Title: Ghost Ship mystery
DirkPitt - April 20, 2007 03:26 AM (GMT)
Mystery of Kaz II's missing crew
Yuko Narushima
April 20, 2007 - 12:00PM
An unmanned yacht found drifting off the north Queensland coast had computers running and even food on a table ready to eat - but no crew, puzzled emergency services say.
Rescuers who boarded the yacht this morning noted that three life jackets and the emergency beacon were still on board, but there was no sign of the yacht's life boat.
A massive search and rescue operation is now underway for three men missing from the 12-metre catamaran called Kaz II, which left Airlie Beach in northern Queensland on Sunday.
It was spotted adrift on Wednesday.
Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ) spokesman Jon Hall said crews were puzzled by what they found because "everything appeared normal".
"It looked like the boat had been recently abandoned. The engine was still running in neutral (but) one of the sails had been damaged," Mr Hall said.
"There was a laptop computer on board and running with power, the computers on board were running, all of their clothing was still there.
"The table was actually set for a meal with food and cutlery in place.
"The radio was working, the GPS was working and things below deck were normal except for the absence of crew."
The GPS will be analysed for clues to see if the boat's passage can be tracked backwards over the previous five days to help the search.
Search and rescue teams say sailing conditions when the men set off were were rough.
"The wind was at 30 knots and the waves were rising,'' said a spokesman for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. "I wouldn't have gone out.''
Kaz II was first spotted floating near the outer Great Barrier Reef, 80 nautical miles northeast of Townsville, the boat's intended destination.
AMSA is coordinating the search for the seamen by air.
Ten planes and two Queensland emergency service helicoptors are searching an area spanning 700 nautical square miles along the outer Great Barrier Reef, where AMSA said it is "most probable'' the boat became distressed.
The search will be widened to 4300 square nautical miles, if today's search is unsuccessful, AMSA said.
A military Blackhawk helicopter may join the air search later today.
Police said four volunteer rescue boats are scanning the area by sea.
Townsville water police will tow the vessel back today.
"It's very unusual,'' a Queensland Police spokeswoman said. "Until we get the boat back to Townsville and get our investigators on board, it's a bit of a mystery'' she said.
While AMSA was hopeful the man was still alive, the spokesman said: "The size and intesity of the search tells you that the task is now urgent.
"It's a large search area but the boat is not drifting a long way from the coast. It seems to be going up and down the coast with the tides.''
link
Yuko Narushima
April 20, 2007 - 12:00PM
An unmanned yacht found drifting off the north Queensland coast had computers running and even food on a table ready to eat - but no crew, puzzled emergency services say.
Rescuers who boarded the yacht this morning noted that three life jackets and the emergency beacon were still on board, but there was no sign of the yacht's life boat.
A massive search and rescue operation is now underway for three men missing from the 12-metre catamaran called Kaz II, which left Airlie Beach in northern Queensland on Sunday.
It was spotted adrift on Wednesday.
Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ) spokesman Jon Hall said crews were puzzled by what they found because "everything appeared normal".
"It looked like the boat had been recently abandoned. The engine was still running in neutral (but) one of the sails had been damaged," Mr Hall said.
"There was a laptop computer on board and running with power, the computers on board were running, all of their clothing was still there.
"The table was actually set for a meal with food and cutlery in place.
"The radio was working, the GPS was working and things below deck were normal except for the absence of crew."
The GPS will be analysed for clues to see if the boat's passage can be tracked backwards over the previous five days to help the search.
Search and rescue teams say sailing conditions when the men set off were were rough.
"The wind was at 30 knots and the waves were rising,'' said a spokesman for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. "I wouldn't have gone out.''
Kaz II was first spotted floating near the outer Great Barrier Reef, 80 nautical miles northeast of Townsville, the boat's intended destination.
AMSA is coordinating the search for the seamen by air.
Ten planes and two Queensland emergency service helicoptors are searching an area spanning 700 nautical square miles along the outer Great Barrier Reef, where AMSA said it is "most probable'' the boat became distressed.
The search will be widened to 4300 square nautical miles, if today's search is unsuccessful, AMSA said.
A military Blackhawk helicopter may join the air search later today.
Police said four volunteer rescue boats are scanning the area by sea.
Townsville water police will tow the vessel back today.
"It's very unusual,'' a Queensland Police spokeswoman said. "Until we get the boat back to Townsville and get our investigators on board, it's a bit of a mystery'' she said.
While AMSA was hopeful the man was still alive, the spokesman said: "The size and intesity of the search tells you that the task is now urgent.
"It's a large search area but the boat is not drifting a long way from the coast. It seems to be going up and down the coast with the tides.''
link
loren1 - April 20, 2007 12:19 PM (GMT)
Strange. You could almost think "Pirates" except they left the boat!!! I hope the people are found. t:
The Ghost Who Walks - April 23, 2007 04:02 AM (GMT)
The latest on this mystery is that the Police have called off the search for the three missing men. The family has vowed to continue the search by hiring vessels.
After forensic examination of the boat authorities appear no closer to solving the disappearance.
One possibilty put up in regards to how they went missing is that they were swimming and lost contact with the vessel, while another is that they were swept overboard, however, it would seem unlikely that they would all be left adrift in either manner.
Thus, the mystery continues................
After forensic examination of the boat authorities appear no closer to solving the disappearance.
One possibilty put up in regards to how they went missing is that they were swimming and lost contact with the vessel, while another is that they were swept overboard, however, it would seem unlikely that they would all be left adrift in either manner.
Thus, the mystery continues................
Andy in West Oz - April 23, 2007 06:08 AM (GMT)
Wonder if anyone noticed whether the ladder was down or not?
beer:
beer:
DirkPitt - April 23, 2007 01:36 PM (GMT)
Get this ... the fenders were draped over the side and the motor was running when the ghost ship was discovered. This can only mean that another vessel came alongside at some point. hmmmm ..... det:
Andy in West Oz - April 23, 2007 11:28 PM (GMT)
Very good point Tony. Very good point. I saw the yacht on the news again last night and realised my ladder theory didn't wash going by the design of the stern and the ease at which the rescue swimmer was able to board when the boat was first found.
Fenders down like that along the length of the hull must mean another vessel was involved somehow. Having said that, the damage to the sail could be storm damage so the fenders may have come loose...need to keep scratching my head!
beer:
Fenders down like that along the length of the hull must mean another vessel was involved somehow. Having said that, the damage to the sail could be storm damage so the fenders may have come loose...need to keep scratching my head!
beer: